SunnO))) – Metta, Benevolence BBC 6Music : Live On The Invitation Of Mary Anne Hobbs

Southern Lord

An improvised uprooting of their Pyroclast and Life Metal albums — or epic exorcism — suitably broadcast on Samhain of 2019, these three tracks catch SunnO))) at the end of their world tour, emotionally expanding the raw material, giving the BBC 6Music listeners a monumental feast.

A trio of tracks the rich monotony of “Pyrocalsts F” kicks into touch with a gristled rub that drags through your head like flood water littered with torn trees. A slow weathered intensity that grows, squeals, a humming halo wordlessly salted by Anna von Hausswolff’s vocals. A grainy communion that its mirror “Pyrocalsts C#” serves up as a far softer, more regally roasted reflection.

A Terry Riley-esque cruise of distended perspectives that gets more scuzzed up as it flows through, until its churchy drone is an obliterating caress that’s best experienced with closed eyes. Pure medication through which Anna’s vocals subtly fold amongst valved weal and sizzling sustain, an intense, insistent creep venting in arterial spray, finally falling into a numb demise.

Two excellent tracks that are quickly thrown into shadow by the thirty-one minute and forty-three second finale. A muscled maul in which Anna’s synth becomes a droning twin to that raspy inquisition in a slow-leaking majestic of counterpointed monolithics and gorgeous squeal entitled “Troubled Air”. Gloomy atmospherics kinetically kiting into a crater-filled oasis in which a lone trombone mournfully wanders, sorrowfully inks a still volatile landscape. A muted warmth in a creeping malevolence that vengefully erupts back, floats out on a seriously heavy last word.

A brilliant slice of what you’d expect from SunnO))) – let the double glazing quake.

-Michael Rodham-Heaps-